recently diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer and surgery on the 21st January

Was an emergency admission and needed surgery and a reversible stoma. Getting used to the stoma. I'm on a course of capecitabine monotherapy and have had little in the way of side effects from that. Outlook is good so far, though might be stuck with the stoma due to age though hopefully this won't apply to you. Good luck!

Hi Loulabelle and a warm welcome to the board. I was told back in 2016 that they were treating me with a view to cure and I’m still ‘no evidence of disease’. 
It’s likely that you will have a stoma for a while as it allows the bowel rejoin time to heal. The nurses will make sure you’re happy with all aspects of dealing with it before your discharge and there’s also lots of advice and support on the board below

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy-and-colostomy-discussions-forum

Chemotherapy may or may not be needed depending on the results that come back from the lab that checks the tumour and surrounding area that has been removed. I would try not to worry about that for now and focus on the operation and recovery.

It’s usually about a 5 day stay in hospital then recovery at home with no driving or lifting anything heavier than a kettle of water with 1 cupful in for 6 weeks. The booklet below has some great info about what to expect and what to take - an extra long charging is a must

https://bcuk.adidocdn.dev/Publications/Your_Operation/Bowel_Cancer_UK_Your_Operation_Booklet.pdf

You could also think about getting some ready prepared meals in the freezer and tins of soup etc. 

Theres lots of support on here and the support desk is also available every day if you want to chat to someone. You can also search for local support by putting your postcode into the link below

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/in-your-area?pcode=

There maybe groups that meet locally that you could go to for support? Hope this helps and please keep us updated

Take care

Karen x

Hi Loulabelle

Sorry to hear what you going through. It is great though that your surgery is booked, and UCLH is really good. I know its pretty darn scary but try think about the 'positive' bits - you being treated quickly, and getting rid of the tumour. You  can then get onto recovery and living life. ;-)

In terms of your fears about coping at home after surgery, stoma and chemotherapy - these are all things you can discuss with your team, ask as many questions as you need to. What I do, is I write all my questions down before an appointment and then I make notes during the appointment. 

In terms of coping after surgery...I'm stage 4 and have had multiple bowel cancer surgeries. I've always been pretty ok when I came home - couldn't pick up heavy things, and was on a restricted diet but otherwise in pretty good shape. The only time I have needed help at home was when I had a 'mega' surgery this year - they removed part of my colon, removed spleen, gallbladder, two thirds of my stomach and created two stomas. From that surgery I was pretty weak, so I  found a private carer to come in for 2 hours every day to help me shower for the first week. But as I say that was a really extreme surgery. I think if you find out what you'll be able to eat when you come home & be mindful that you probably won't be able to lift heavy things (ie maybe stock up with what you'll need in advance) - you'll be good. 

On the stoma - with my surgeries, they couldn't tell me up front if I would definitely need a stoma or not - they decided intraoperatively. So I had to get my head around a stoma prior to surgery, because there was a chance I would wake up with one. As much as I didn't want a stoma, I tried to focus on that its part of the treatment to get rid of the enemy (cancer)....one does end up coping with the change with that in mind. And with the help of the wonderful stoma nurses, you figure it out, and get into a new rythmn - my colostomy is really easy, it takes me 5min to change the bag and its no hassle. My urostomy is more 'tricky' - because one can get infections and it needs frequent emptying etc, but the colostomy is for me a doddle. Wishing you all the very best & keep us updated. x

Thank you for your reply. You sound like you have had to adjust to an awful lot . I'm very sorry you've had to go through this. Your dignity and resilience is clear. I hope I can summon that kind of strength. Good luck to you.

thank you for all this. much appreciated.

thank you. im glad your outlook is good. I hope it remains so.

Thanks Loulabelle, I forgot to say - I've learnt there are a lot of kind people out there and the charities are lovely. Maggies for example has walk in centres at some of the hospitals - they don't give medical advice, but its just a pair of kind ears to have a tea with. And this forum is great too. You look after yourself x